Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program

What is CF?

"Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. At present, there is no cure. CF causes various effects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs." Learn more from Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Our team

Cystic Fibrosis Physicians

Dr. Nancy Morrison

Dr. Meredith Chiasson

Cystic Fibrosis Nurse Coordinator Sarah Sutherland
902-473-4147
Cystic Fibrosis Dietician Carly Nichols
Physiotherapists Heidi Kent

Paulina Miller
Psychologist Sulaye Thakrar
Respiratory Therapist and Research Coordinator
(Division of Respirology and CF Clinical Trials)
Andrea Dale
Social Worker Kayla O'Hearn

 

Guide

This guide will help you learn about the services that the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program offers and how you can access them.

Transition process

When you reach age 18 or graduate from Grade 12, you will transition from the IWK to the Halifax Infirmary CF Clinic.

You will meet the Adult Program CF Team during your last IWK appointment (in the spring/summer) before you transition. All future appointments will be at the Respirology Clinic located on the 4th floor of the Halifax Infirmary (HI).

Clinics are held on Tuesday afternoons or Friday mornings, where you will see one of our CF physicians, nurse, dietician, social worker, physiotherapist, respiratory therapist and psychologist. Your pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are done the same day as your clinic appointment in the PFT lab located on the 3rd floor of the Halifax Infirmary (during COVID-19 pandemic) or at the clinic.

When you arrive for your appointments, you'll register for your appointment at the 4th floor kiosks located just inside the Halifax Infirmary – Robie Street Entrance. You are notified of your clinic appointments via a letter in the mail.

If you need to get admitted to hospital, you will be admitted to one of the Medicine units on the 8th floor of the HI. Your CF physician and team will follow your care closely with daily visits from your CF nurse and as needed from your CF dietician. You will be in a private room with your own microwave and mini fridge.

We look forward to meeting you!

Metropolitan dispensary

The Metro Dispensary provides low-cost prescription medications to individuals with low income and to anyone who is unable to afford the medication that they are being prescribed. A referral is required.

Patients can reorder their medications by email.
Email: metro.dispensary@ns.aliantzinc.ca

NS CF Drug Plan

Patients who are Nova Scotia Residents:

  • All medications are covered without a co-pay.
  • You will need to pay the dispensing fee for transplant medications.
  • If a patient’s compressor breaks, please bring the broken compressor to the IWK Chest Clinic (beside Metro Dispensary) for replacement. This is covered by the NS CF Drug Plan.

Research

Our current and upcoming clinical trials for Cystic Fibrosis (as of Nov 2020).

Vertex
VX 18-445-113
Current A Phase 3, Open-label Study Evaluating the Long term Safety of VX-445 Combination Therapy in Subjects with Cystic Fibrosis
Vertex
VX 14-661-110
Current A Phase 3, Open-label, Rollover Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Long-term Treatment With VX-661 in Combination With Ivacaftor in Subjects Aged 12 Years and Older With Cystic Fibrosis, Homozygous or Heterozygous for the F508del-CFTR Mutation
AbbVie
M19-530
Upcoming A Phase 2 Study of ABBV-3067 Alone and in Combination with ABBV-2222 in Cystic Fibrosis Subjects Who Are Homozygous for the F508del Mutation
Gene Modifier Study Upcoming Mapping and Isolation of Genes Influencing Severity of Disease in Cystic Fibrosis
CAR-CF Study Upcoming COVID-19 Antibody Responses in Cystic Fibrosis (CAR-CF) Patients

 

News and events

  • Applications for the 2022-2023 Vertex Foundation Scholarship will be accepted from December 6, 2021 to February 1, 2022. Scholarships are awarded to help people with cystic fibrosis and their immediate family members (siblings, caregivers, children and spouses) pursue collegiate two-year, four-year or graduate degrees. Learn more on Vertex's website.

Links

Cystic Fibrosis Canada https://www.cysticfibrosis.ca

Cystic Fibrosis Canada - Atlantic Canada Region

https://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/atlantic-canada/

Facebook - Cystic Fibrosis Canada https://www.facebook.com/CysticFibrosisCanada
Facebook - National Advocacy Network https://www.facebook.com/groups/285372655760777 
(join the private group)
FEV1 percentile calculator for Canadians with cystic fibrosis https://cfpercentile.research.sickkids.ca/
(Strug Lab)
Toronto Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre https://torontoadultcf.com
(St. Michael's Hospital)
Toronto Lung Transplant Program https://www.uhn.ca/Transplant/Lung_Transplant_Program
(Toronto General Hospital)

 

Contact information

Patients of the CF clinic can call the nurse coordinator at 902-473-4147.